Ho Chi Minh City sets sights on universal health insurance coverage by 2030

The city now has nearly 14 million people.

The targets are part of a plan recently issued by the municipal People’s Committee to implement the prime minister’s Decision 844, which outlines measures to carry out Directive 52 of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on universal health insurance in the new period.

To meet these targets, the city will incorporate health insurance coverage goals into annual and long-term socio-economic development resolutions, programs and plans.

The municipal People’s Committee will propose that the municipal People’s Council allocate funding and mobilize appropriate resources to provide additional support for health insurance premiums for residents.

Local authorities are required to regularly review population data and accurately identify groups that have not yet enrolled in health insurance, enabling them to develop targeted plans to expand coverage.

Health insurance development targets will also be tied to the responsibilities of local leaders.

The city will review the issuance of health insurance cards for groups whose premiums are fully or partially covered by the state budget, ensuring that eligible residents can enroll and receive their benefits fully and promptly.

Besides, the city will develop mechanisms for providing direct support to health insurance participants when they use medical services.

It will also seek to improve healthcare workers’ service attitudes and professional ethics, while investing in medical facilities, equipment and professional capacity.

In managing the health insurance fund, the city will require transparent and scientific control of medical examination and treatment costs.

Expenses will be regularly analyzed by specific areas, healthcare facilities and disease groups.

Facilities recording unreasonable increases in costs will be subject to warnings and corrective measures.

Moreover, the city will also strengthen inter-agency inspections, examinations and supervision, while strictly handling violations, including abuse and fraudulent exploitation of the health insurance fund.